Single use film developer

ABSTRACT

A length of exposed, photographic film is coupled to a pliable package containing a developer. The pliable package and the film are drawn through a rigid container that discharges the developer from the pliable package into the rigid container and onto the film.

I United States Patent [151 3,646,873

Bowlby [451 v Mar. 7, 1972 [541 SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER 2,706,9394/1955 Fairbank ..95/89 [72] Inventor: James F. G. Bowlby, 124 DemarestRoad, 2'708864 5/l955 Bloomin dale N J 07403 2,747,103 5/1956Falrbank... g 2,854,908 10/1958 Eloranta... [22] Filed: Apr. 8, 19693,108,525 10/1963 Ebum ..95/89 X [2]] Appl 814343 PrimaryExaminer-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Monroe H. Hayes [52] U.S.Cl. ..95/89 R, 95/ 13 A torney-Leonard [-1. King [51] Int. Cl. ..G03d5/02 [58] Field 01 Search 95/89, 89 R, 13 [57] ABSTRACT A length ofexposed, photographic film is coupled to a pliable [56] References Citedpackage containing a developer. The pliable package and the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS film are drawn through a rigid container that dischargesthe developer from the pliable package into the rigid container2,854,904 10/1958 Bishop ..95/ 13 and onto the fi| 3,442,195 5/1969Guynes...

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INVENTOR. 40165 I? 6. BOWL 8) arromveri SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER Thisinvention relates generally to the art of photography and moreparticularly to a low-cost film developer that is disposable after asingle use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A need exists for a low-cost, simple,developing apparatus for exposed light-sensitive material. In field useof X-rays, such as at accident scenes and military operations for theexamination, as well as in connection with industrial use of X- rays forinspection purposes and the like, it is highly desirable that the X-rayfilm be developed on the site. Presently, this requires use of darkroomfacilities limiting the use of X-rays, or involving a time delay betweenthe time of exposure and the time the doctor or technician has availableto him the remotely processed X-rays.

An example of the prior art in this field is my copending application,Ser. No. 760,231, filed on Sept. 17, I968. Therein a system is disclosedwhich utilizes a supply of film developer contained within a rigidcompartment. The exposed film is attached to a pull tab which is thendrawn through the developer carrying with it the exposed film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By way of contrast, the present inventionprovides that the developer is contained in a separate, pliable plasticpackage that is open only at one end. The exposed film is coupled orotherwise suitably attached to the open end of the pliable developerpackage. A rigid plastic container having two open ends and an enlargedcompartment therebetween is alsoprovided. By drawing the pliabledeveloper package through the rigid container the developer is squeezedout of the pliable package. The developer is deposited in the enlargedcompartment of the rigid container and thereby contacts the exposed filmwhich at this time is also within the rigid container.

In the more detailed description of the invention to be made hereinafterthere will be disclosed different means for temporarily closing thepliable package in such a manner that the developer is dischargedtherefrom when the pliable package is drawn through the rigid container.Structure that provides a combined pliable package and rigid containerwill also be described as will he means for making the device verycompact. A disclosure will also be made of the applicability of thepresent invention to X-ray film; film other than X-ray and positivetransfer paper used in combination with a negative film.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide alow-cost, single-use film developing pack.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a disposablefilm developing pack, as described above, that does not require the useof a darkroom.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a film developingpack, as described above, wherein the developer is initially containedwithin a pliable package and is discharged therefrom into a rigidcontainer by drawing the pliable package into and through the rigidcontainer, the exposed film being coupled to and movable together withthe pliable package.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will,in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, becomeobvious from the following more detailed description of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms anintegral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawinglike reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating two basiccomponents of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled, perspective view of the components shown in FIG.I;

FIG. 3 is a sectional, elevational view taken along the longitudinalline 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are longitudinal, sectional views, in elevation,illustrating the sequence of the various steps used in developing filmwith the structure shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are longitudinal, sectional views, in elevation,illustrating a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal, sectional view, in elevation, illustratinganother modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal, sectional view, in elevation, illustrating analternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal, sectional view, in elevation, illustrating amodification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal, sectional view, in elevation, illustratinganother modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 1;

FIGS. l4, l5 and 16 are longitudinal, sectional views, in elevation,illustrating the sequence of the various steps used in developing filmwith the structure of still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17, I8 and 19 are longitudinal, sectional views, in elevation,illustrating the sequence of the various steps used in developing filmwith the structure of a further embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 are longitudinal, sectional views, in elevation,illustrating the sequence of the various steps used in developing filmwith the structure of yet another embodiment of the present invention;and- FIGS. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view, in elevation, of a stilldifferent embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1-7 illustrate thestructure and method by which the present invention is used. Referringnow to FIGS. 1-3 it will be seen that the first embodiment 30 iscomprised basically of a pliable, plastic package 32, a fluidcomposition 34 contained in the package 32 for treating the exposedlight sensitive film F and an elongated container 36 into which thefluid composition 34 is dispensed and through which the exposed film Fis drawn for processing. All of the embodiments and modificationsthereof have at least these three basic components in common.

The pliable package 32 shown in FIGS. I-7 is comprised of upper andlower sheetlike surfaces 38 and 40, respectively, that are heat sealedor otherwise secured to each other by suitable means such as adhesivesalong longitudinal edges 42 and 44 and one transverse end edge 46.Preferably an extension 48 is provided opposite to the unsealedtransverse end edge 50 for a purpose to be made evident by the followingdiscussion relating to the method of using the present invention. Athermoplastic flexible material such as polyethylene is presentlypreferred for the package 32.

The fluid composition 34 is viscous in nature, and while it can flowfrom the pliable package 32 into the container 36, it does not runfreely. The fluid composition is selected in accordance with the processbeing carried out. A developer is referred to but a fixing agent orother processing material may also be used.

The elongated container 36 is comprised of upper and lower sheets 52 and54, respectively. A medium impact material that may be vacuum formed ormolded such as polystyrene is preferred. The primary characteristicsrequired are that the sheets, or at least one particular portion of thesheets, be relatively rigid and that the sheets be nonporous.Accordingly, a nonporous paper or porous papers coated with a nonporousmaterial such as polyethylene may be used. Where paper is used it shouldbe locally rigidized in a suitable manner to permit the presentinvention to operate in the manner that will be described subsequentlyin connection with FIGS. 4-7.

Sheets 52 and 54 of the container 36 are heat sealed to each other orotherwise secured by suitable adhesive means along longitudinal edges 56and 58. Both ends are left unsealed. The upper sheet 52 is shorter thanthe lower sheet 54 and is provided at one end with an offset portion 60that defines, in combination with the opposed flat portion of the lowersheet 54, a light shield. The top sheet 52 is also provided with asecond offset portion or recess 62 axially spaced from the light shield60 and near the opposite end of both the upper and lower sheets. Arecess 64 is also provided in the lower sheet 54 in opposition to therecess 62 to define a developer chamber 66 therebetween. As noted above,both ends of the container 36 are unsealed so that a path for the film Fis provided therethrough as well as a developer chamber 66 for the fluidcomposition 34.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4-7, there is shown the sequence ofthe various steps used in developing film with the structure of thisinvention. It will be noted that, in this embodiment, the film F isremovably positioned in a holder H and is also attached, by any suitablemeans such as adhesive or double surfaced tape, etc., to the open end 50of the plastic package 32. FIG. 4 also illustrates that the plasticpackage 32 has already been positioned within the developer compartmentor chamber 66 but that the fluid composition 34 has not,

as yet, been discharged completely.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the result of pulling the extension or tab 48in the direction of the arrow. Two separate steps have been shown merelyfor convenience of illustration and description. It should beunderstood, however, that there is i only a single continuous pull untilthe film F is completely within the compartment 66 as shown in FIG. 6,at which time the pulling is stopped to permit the film to be developed.As the pliable package 32 is drawn to the right it will pull with it thefilm F and will leave behind the holder H. At the same time the plasticpackage passes through the right-hand open end of the container 36 sothat the fluid composition 32 is squeezed out of the open end 50 of thepackage 32 into the developer chamber 66 and around the film F which isalso moving to the 7 right. It should be particularly noted that onlythe portion of the container 36 through which the pliable package 32 issqueezed need be rigid in order to act against the pliable package 32 todischarge the fluid composition. However, it is just as simple to makethe entire container 36 of a rigid plastic. After the film is developedthe pliable package 32 is once again pulled to the right as shown inFIG. 7, thus freeing the film F which is then removed from the pliablepackage 32. The container 36, the fluid composition 34 and the pliablepackage 32 are then discarded.

In order to prevent the possibility of leakage of the fluid composition34 prior to the start of the developing process described above, amodification of the basic concept that is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may beemployed. All of the structure previously described is the same (andlike reference characters are used) except that the open end of thepliable package 32 is provided with cinch 70. That is a reverse orS-shaped fold is made. This structure creates a dam and effectivelyprevents leakage of the fluid composition. As the pliable package ispulled to the right in the direction of the arrow, the cinch 70 unfoldsas shown in FIG. 9. The pliable package 32 may be pulled as described inconnection with the basic embodiment previously described.

Another modification of this invention is shown in FIG. 10. To preventthe possibility of leakage of the fluid composition 34 from theright-hand open end of the container 36 and in order to insure thatexcess fluid composition 34 is wiped from the film F, a pair of opposed,resilient strips 72 and 74 are provided integrally with the upper andlower sheets 52 and 54, respectively, of the container 36. While thepliable package 32 is being pulled to the right, as described above,oppositely directed finger pressure is applied to the strips 72 and 74,so that they act as a squeegee, first on the pliable package 32 and thenon the film F. Prior to pulling the pliable package 32, the inherentresilience of the strips applies sufficient pressure so as to precludethe possibility of leakage. It should be noted v that the cinch 70 ofthe previously discussed modification may also be used.

The alternative embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 11 and themodifications thereof shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are useful inunderstanding the broad applicability of the basic concept. For example,the structure shown in FIG. 11 is useful in X-ray and radiation badgeapplications. The film F is secured proximate the open end of thepliable package 32 as previously described but in this embodiment thecontainer 34 is provided with an extension 76 that encases the film. Allother structure and the method of using it is the same so thatrepetition thereof is not needed at this time. The structure shown inFIG. 12 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 11 except that awindow or opening 78 is formed in one of the surfaces of extension 76 soas to permit the film to be exposed by means other than X-rays. Thestructure illustrated in FIG. 13 is a modification of the embodiment ofFIG. 11 in that the overall length of the assembly is reduced. The filmF, which may be encased or not in an extension such as is shown in FIGS.11 and 12, is doubled back onto the outside surface of the basiccontainer 36 and may be exposed in this position. Even though thematerial of the container 36 is relatively rigid for the purpose ofdischarging the fluid composition 34 as described above, it may still beflexed so as to position the film in substantially the same plane as theopen end at the left side of the container 36. When fabricating thecontainer 36, the portion designated by the reference character 80 maybe made somewhat thinner to define an integral hinge.

In FIGS. I4, 15 and 16 another embodiment of this invention isillustrated which is suitable, in particular, for X-ray and radiationapplications. The pliable package 32 is opaque in this embodiment andincludes a chamber 82 that is integral with and in fluid communicationwith that portion of the package 32 that initially containsthe fluidcomposition 34. It should be noted at this time that a cinch seal, asdescribed above in connection with the modification shown in FIGS. 8 and9, may be provided between compartment or chamber 82 and the fluidcomposition 34. Further, the pliable transverse strips 72 and 74described first in connection with the structure of FIG. 10 may also beused even though neither one of these last two mentioned features isshown in combination with the embodiment of FIGS. l4, l5 and 16.

The film F is positioned in the opaque chamber 82 and, if desired, theend 84 thereof may be folded, crimped or otherwise suitably closed toprevent the admission of light. By pulling the pliable package in thedirection of the arrow, as described above, the pliable package 32 ismoved outwardly of the container 36'while at the same time the fluidcomposition 34 is squeezed into the opaque chamber 82 that contains thefilm and which has been drawn into the developer chamber 66 by theinitial pulling. After a suitable time'period for developing the film Fhas elapsed, the pliable package 32 is once again pulled to the right(FIG. 16) thus removing both the film F and the opaque chamber 82 fromthe developer chamber 66. It should be noted that, at this last step,the fluid composition 34 is discharged through the initially closed butunsealed end 84 of the opaque chamber 82 into the developer chamber 66and is then discarded. If desired, a tab or pull string 86 may beincluded integrally and in a well known manner with the opaque chamber82 to aid in the removal of the developed film F from the opaque chamber82.

FIGS. 17, 18 and I9 illustrate the applicability of the basic concept ofthis invention to the developing of positive images as well asnegatives. For convenience, the pliable package 32, the fluidcomposition 34 and the container 36 described in conjunction with thefirst embodiment is used for purposes of illustration. It should beunderstood, however, that the various modifications hereinbeforedescribed may also be used.

A length of negative film N and a length of positive transfer film P aresecured suitably, as described above, to the pliable package 32 thatcontains an appropriate fluid composition 34 and which is positionedwithin the container 36. For convenience, and to minimize the overallsize of the structure, the negative film N is folded back over the topsurface of the container 36 and the positive transfer paper P is foldedback under the bottom surface of container 36. In order to print theimage on the paper P the film N and the paper P are first swungclockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, to the position shown inFIG. 18, and while in that relative position they are drawn into thedeveloper chamber 66 as shown in FIG. 19. Since all other aspects of thedeveloping process are the same as described in connection with one ormore of the previous embodiments, it need not be repeated now. A reducedorifice 88 is provided at the right hand open end of the container 36 toassure that there is intimate contact between the negative N and thepaper P as they are withdrawn.

Still another embodiment of this invention assures that there will be noleakage of the fluid composition 34 prior to the start of the developingprocess. Further, this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22,assures proper opening of the cinch seal arrangement shown in FIGS. 8and 9, which structure will now be used for purposes of illustration.The top surface 52 of the container 36 is provided with an inwardlydirected, first transverse rib 90 proximate the upstream end thereof andthe lower surface 54 of the container 36 is provided with an inwardlydirected second transverse rib 92 downstream of the first rib 90. Oneleg of a V-shaped cleat 94 is bonded to the inside surface of the sheet52 just downstream of the first rib 90 and the other leg of the cleat 94is allowed to hang free just upstream of the second rib 92. As usedherein upstream and downstream" refer to the direction of travel of thepliable package 32 and the film associated therewith.

As shown in FIG. the free leg of the cleat 94 blocks the open end of thecontainer 36 together with a cinch-type seal that is formed by thepliable package 32 against the upstream surface of the cleat 94. Shouldthe container 36, and hence the pliable package 32, be inadvertentlycompressed, the acute angle between the legs of the cleat 94 will bereduced causing an even tighter seal. Further, since the free handingedge of the cleat 94 is in opposition to the second or downstream foldin the cinch, there is assurance that the cinch will unfold in propersequence when the pliable package 32 is pulled to the right. That is,the upstream fold of the cinch will unfold first since it is relativelyunrestricted and the downstream fold will unfold second since it isinitially restrained by confronting surfaces of the free edge of thecleat 94 and the second rib 92 (FIG. 21). Finally, as shown in FIG. 22,the cleat 94 will tend to fold upwardly using the apex of its two legsas a hinge when the cinch is completely unfolded. After the film F haspassed, the cleat 94 will then swing downwardly and act as a shutoffvalve with its free leg extending traversely of the container 36 in aplane intermediate the two ribs 90 and 92.

In FIG. 23, there is shown a still different embodiment of theinvention. This embodiment differs from the earlier discussed versionsin that the clinch 96 is placed on the inside of the compartmentcontaining the developer. This configuration provides a tight seal sincethe liquid in the bag adjusts itself to provide uniform clamping action.As the bag is withdrawn from the chamber there is a sliding actionbetween mating surfaces of the cinched bag which permits unlocking ofthe cinch with minimal tension applied. A further advantage of thisconfiguration is that it is not essential that the opposed chamber wallsmay be made of lighter stock than for the other version where we arerelying on the opposed faces to securely clamp the opposed tube walls.

All of the embodiments and modifications thereof described above andshown in the drawings have several important and distinctive advantagesand features in common. All are of sufficiently low cost making themapplicable to single usage situations. All of the embodiments utilize arigidized, outer container through which is drawn a pliable packagecontaining a fluid composition. By drawing the pliable package throughthe container the fluid composition is discharged into a developerchamber formed in the container and which the film enters the chamber bysubsequent pulling of the pliable package, it can be developed in theconventional manner.

The several embodiments and modifications disclose different sealingmeans to prevent leakage of the fluid composition and means to assurecomplete removal of the fluid composition as the film is pulled from thecontainer. The present invention is applicable to X-ray, radiation andother forms of photography by reason of the structure disclosed. Thepresent invention may also be used with the printing of images onpositive transfer paper.

Having thus disclosed the best embodiment of the invention presentlycontemplated, it is to be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

l. A single usage, disposable processorfor exposed, light sensitivefilm, comprising the combination of:

a. an elongated, rigid container open at both transverse end edges, saidcontainer having a first chamber through which the film is adapted to bedrawn for processing;

b. an elongated, pliable package initially contained within saidchamber, said pliable package being sealed along two longitudinal sideedges and one transverse line to define a first compartment having anunsealed discharge end opposite said sealed transverse line;

c. means for removably coupling the film to said pliable packageproximate said discharge end thereof and outside of said first chamber;

d. a fluid composition for treating the film, said fluid compositionbeing initially contained within said first compartment of said pliablepackage and arranged for release through said unsealed discharge endinto said first chamber of said rigid container; and

e. closure means for preventing leakage of said fluid composition fromsaid first chamber of said rigid container after the film is drawntherethrough, said closure means comprising a cleat hingedly secured toan inner surface of said container, the free end of said cleat having aperiphery closely bounded by the interior surfaces of said container,said fluid composition being downstream of said cleat.

2. The processor in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inner surface ofsaid container, opposite to the surface on which said cleat is secured,includes a transverse rib immediately downstream of the edge of the freeend of said cleat.

3. The processor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pliable packageincludes closure means defined by a transversely positioned reverse foldproximate said discharge end of said pliable package, said reverse foldbeing positioned immediately downstream of the free end of said cleat.

1. A single usage, disposable processor for exposed, light sensitivefilm, comprising the combination of: a. an elongated, rigid containeropen at both transverse end edges, said container having a first chamberthrough which the film is adapted to be drawn for processing; b. anelongated, pliable package initially contained within said chamber, saidpliable package being sealed along two longitudinal side edges and onetransverse line to define a first compartment having an unsealeddischarge end opposite said sealed transverse line; c. means forremovably coupling the film to said pliable package proximate saiddischarge end thereof and outside of said first chamber; d. a fluidcomposition for treating the film, said fluid composition beinginitially contained within said first compartment of said pliablepackage and arranged for release through said unsealed discharge endinto said first chamber of said rigid container; and e. closure meansfor preventing leakage of said fluid composition from said first chamberof said rigid container after the film is drawn therethrough, saidclosure means comprising a cleat hingedly secured to an inner surface ofsaid container, the free end of said cleat having a periphery closelybounded by the interior surfaces of said container, said fluidcomposition being downstream of said cleat.
 2. The processor inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the inner surface of said container,opposite to the surface on which said cleat is secured, includes atransverse rib immediately downstream of the edge of the free end ofsaid cleat.
 3. The processor in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidpliable package includes closure means defined by a transverselypositioned reverse fold proximate said discharge end of said pliablepackage, said reverse fold being positioned immediately downstream ofthe free end of said cleat.